Potential role of corporate social responsibility in poverty alleviation among contract sugarcane farmers in the Nzoia sugarbelt, Bungoma, Kenya

Abstract:

Although introduction of contract sugarcane farming was expected to alleviate poverty
through increased income to farmers, it is widely acknowledged that poverty levels in
western Kenya are still high. While the sugar companies generally register super profits, the
surrounding communities, who supply the labour and land for cultivation of the
sugarcane, are yet to break out from the poverty ratchets. Results from a study done within
the Nzoia Sugarbelt in 2007 indicated that food insecurity and poverty remain serious
concerns largely because most of the land is dedicated to sugarcane farming at the expense
of other important food crops. In addition income generated from sugar processing is
unevenly shared in favour of the company and not the farmers whose land and labour is
contracted for this' purpose. To bridge this gap and enhance community livelihoods, this
paper argues strongly for the need to institutionalise Corporate Social Responsibility
policies within the daily operations of the company. Ten key building blocks for such a
policy for Nzoia Sugar Company are suggested based on research findings from the field.

Description:

Proceedings of the 1st Kenyatta University Research conference held on 28th – 30th 2009 at Kenyatta University